Spanish Pronunciation: Master the Basics

Spanish pronunciation is actually easier than many languages—it's mostly phonetic. But there are key sounds that trip up English speakers. Here's how to master them.

The Good News: Spanish Is Phonetic

Most Spanish words are pronounced exactly as they're written. You see it, you say it (mostly). This is a huge advantage over English.

Essential Spanish Sounds

RR (Rolled R)

• How: Roll your tongue (like purring)
• Examples: perro (dog), carro (car), arriba (up)
• Practice: Start with "butter" (American English), then exaggerate

J

• How: Like English "h" in "hello"
• Examples: juego (game), jamón (ham), joven (young)
• Trick: Never like English "j"

LL and Y

• How: Often like "y" in "yes"
• Examples: llama (flame), ella (she), yo (I)
• Note: Varies by region (some sound like "zh")

Ñ

• How: Like "ny" in "canyon"
• Examples: año (year), mañana (tomorrow), español (Spanish)
• Unique: Only in Spanish (and a few other languages)

H

• How: Always silent
• Examples: hola (hello), hora (hour), hablar (to speak)
• Trick: Just ignore it!

Vowel Sounds (Simpler Than English)

Spanish has 5 pure vowel sounds:

• A: Like "ah" (casa)
• E: Like "eh" (mesa)
• I: Like "ee" (vida)
• O: Like "oh" (hola)
• U: Like "oo" (mundo)

No diphthongs or complex sounds like English.

Common Pronunciation Rules

Stress Rules

• If word ends in vowel, n, or s → stress second-to-last syllable
• If word ends in consonant (not n or s) → stress last syllable
• Accent marks show exceptions: café, español

D Between Vowels

• Often sounds like soft "th" (Spain) or disappears (Latin America)
• Examples: nada, todo, cada

B and V

• Sound the same in Spanish
• Both like soft "b" between vowels
• Examples: vino/bino sound similar

Practice Tips

1) Shadow Native Speakers

Listen and repeat immediately. This trains your mouth muscles.

2) Focus on RR First

This is the most distinctive Spanish sound. Master it early.

3) Practice Daily

10 minutes daily > 70 minutes weekly.

4) Record Yourself

Compare to native speakers. Notice differences.

Common Mistakes

• Using English "j" sound → Use "h" sound instead
• Not rolling R → Practice daily
• Making vowels complex → Keep them pure and simple

Master Spanish Pronunciation

The best way to master pronunciation isn't rules—it's practice with feedback. Speak daily, get corrections on sounds, and watch your accent improve. Try Parlai and practice Spanish pronunciation through real conversations with instant feedback.